https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/98th_Territorial_Defence_Battalion_%27Azov-Dnipro%27
The 98th Territorial Defence Battalion “Azov-Dnipro” (98-му батальйоні «Дніпро Азов»), or more simply Azov-Dnipro, is a (Pro-Ukraine) Volunteer Battalion formed as a branch of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Battalions by veterans of the Azov Battalion and members of the National Corps party after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine:
In a similar call to 2014, the Ukrainian government once again encouraged “Territorial Defense Forces” (TDF) to mobilize and help resist the Russian invasion. In early 2022, the TDFs organized into over 25 brigades, localized in each region of Ukraine, including Kyiv. The strategic purpose of the TDFs as a whole is to strengthen the capabilities of local authorities in reacting to Russian attacks. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn77) - The TDFs consist primarily of light infantry performing auxiliary and support missions behind the frontlines of the war, including guarding infrastructure, and combatting subversion in their local areas of responsibility. The TDFs are composed of a combination of combat veterans, as well as civilians with no prior military experience. Individuals convicted of serious crimes or have at least two criminal convictions are ineligible. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn78)
In line with this announcement, the Azov Movement established several new military units separate from the National Guard Regiment.
Azov also announced the creation of several other units within the structure of the Territorial Defense Forces across Ukraine, among the most active of which is the 98th Territorial Defense Battalion Azov-Dnipro, commanded by First Deputy Head of National Corps Rodion Kudryashov.
Due to its formation by National Corps members, Azov-Dnipro could be considered a part of the Azov Movement (see the movement’s page for details).
The unit’s use of Nazi symbolism became notable when actor Mark Hamill was filmed talking with soldiers of the unit, alongside other Ukrainian figures, the battalion displayed a Black Sun with a Tyr rune (a Pagan rune symbol used by the SS) on a flag:
According to Ukrainian media reports, Azov-Dnipro has worked alongside the Russian Volunteer Corps and acted as a source for some of its recruits:
Dmitry: In summer, our Russian company was seconded to the first company of the 98th battalion of the Azov Troops in the Zaporizhzhya-Donetsk direction. We were divided into different positions, that is, on each we were Russian and Ukrainians. Our relations were normal, there are the most even and generally cool types. If someone asked why I was fighting for Ukraine, I explained this: when I had a bad life situation and I had nothing left, I came to this country, I was treated with full understanding - well, as my person. I have formed a circle of friends who trust me. And they all went to fight. That is, in principle, even in relation to them, it would be as ugly as possible - not to help them defend their homeland.
Danil : In the summer, I found out that there is still the Russian Volunteer Corps (founded the nationalist corps Denis Kapustin (Nikitin). Many of the personnel of the RDC also adhere to “legal-conservative and traditionalist views and beliefs”. — Note. ed.). They eventually took me there. In early September, I already received weapons and went to the forefront in the Donetsk direction. He studied there in parallel, remembered something. In the first shift for us is BMP-3 (armored fighting vehicle. — Note. ed.) worked well.
Russian Volunteer Corps is one of the most mysterious units in the Territorial Defense. It consists of volunteers from Russia who passed the Dignity Revolution, fought in the anti-terrorist operation and the OOS, fought at home with the Putin regime. After a full-scale invasion, these soldiers decided to unite in one unit and are now performing combat tasks in the 98th Battalion of the Azov-Dnipro Teroborona 108th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The unit later merged into the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade:
At the end of 2022, part of the personnel together with Rodion Kudryashov was transferred to 3rd separate assault brigade, becoming the basis of the 1st mechanized battalion.73 Major Vladyslav Tokarev was appointed commander of the 98th Tro. After additional staffing and coordination, the battalion was withdrawn in December 2022 to perform combat missions in the Zaporizhzhia direction. 8
Return to 000. MOC Notables Pro-Ukrainian